A group that initially sought to raise money for a crossing guard now hopes to expand into a nonprofit organization aimed at child safety.
Nathan Powell said he and the other three members of the group, all Shawano residents, are still exploring ways to raise money for a crossing guard at Center and Main streets, but decided there was no reason to stop there.
“This thing has snowballed bigger than I ever thought,” Powell said. “Our ultimate goal is to keep kids safe, and we thought, ‘why stop with just the crossing guard?’”
Powell said the group is seeking nonprofit status as a child safety committee. The group has not yet settled on a name.
Powell said the goal would be to address a host of safety issues, including updating city playground equipment, encouraging the use of bicycle safety helmets, safety seminars in the schools and glow-in-the-dark wristbands for the kids on Halloween.
“We want to work hand-in-hand with the city and work on funding for safety issues,” Powell said.
The group formed at the start of the school year when a city budget cut went into effect eliminating a crossing guard at Center and Main streets.
Nearby schools Sacred Heart Catholic School and St. James Lutheran School said they have not been approached by parents with any concerns.
St. James officials said the school’s younger children are not crossing Main Street there, and Sacred Heart has teachers accompanying the few students who do.
The biggest concern city officials had was children being dropped off on the east side of Main Street for the after-school care program at First Presbyterian Church, located on the west side of the street.
That problem has been addressed by changing the bus drop-off location to the First Presbyterian parking lot.
Powell said the safety issue has not been entirely eliminated, however. He said a member of the group has gone to the intersection when she can to assist the children still crossing.
“We can’t stop traffic or play crossing guard, but we can cross the street with them,” Powell said.
Last week, police sidelined a volunteer crossing guard — not affiliated with Powell’s group — after complaints he was attempting to stop traffic.
Police have said they are willing to provide crossing guard equipment to volunteers, provided they are also willing to go through training.
Powell said his group initially had a goal of $2,000 for a volunteer to work the intersection after school.
But, he said, people who have been willing to donate have said they first wanted to see a separate bank account for the funds.
“For that, we need to be a nonprofit,” Powell said.
The group’s goal now is raising the $150 needed to file for nonprofit status, he said.
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